As part of our countdown to Sochi 2014, Olympic.ca is showcasing 14 Canadian medal contenders in 14 weeks.

Team Jennifer Jones

Carrying the flag for Canadian women’s curling to Sochi 2014 is Team Jennifer Jones. The Winnipeg rink won the right to represent Canada in front of a hometown crowd at Roar of the Rings in early December.

Jennifer Jones (Photo: CCA)

What makes them a medal contender?
By virtue of its passport, Canadian curling teams are expected to return home with a medal from the Olympic Winter Games. Jennifer Jones follows Schmirler (gold), Law, Kleibrink (bronze) and Bernard (silver) to the Olympics. At each of the Games since women’s curling was introduced, Canada has won a medal.

This begs the question, how does Team Jones stack up against this legacy heading into Sochi? Canadians will be pleased to know that this is a side to be reckoned with.

Jones has international experience, winning a World Championship gold in 2008 and a bronze in 2010. Her second, Jill Officer, was on both of those teams, as was the team lead, Dawn McEwen. Team third, Kaitlyn Lawes, has two World Junior medals and has skipped the team when Jones was unavailable. Team Jones alternate is veteran Kirsten Wall.

The Jones rink goes into Sochi with great confidence, curling 92% as a team at the Roar of the Rings final, coolly capitalizing on its opponents’ mistakes to win gold. They showed a steely determination for success and that bodes well for Canada in February.